Secret Identity--What's New?

Capt'n Eli Is Back!!!

3/31/2015

Press Release

Great news featuring our old friend, Jay Piscopo!!!!

In March, Jay Piscopo’s new graphic novel “The Undersea Adventures of Capt’n Eli – Volume 3: The Mystery of the Devil’s Sea” will be available in comic shops nationwide.

The long awaited Volume 3 of the Capt’n Eli saga explodes when Eli and crew find themselves trapped in a global war between the surface world and the undersea Aquarian Empire. Lord Hydro’s giant war robots threaten destruction to all the major cities on the planet unless Capt’n Eli is caught and tried as a renegade for the kidnapping of Princess Coral.

Brendan Deneen, award-winning Flash Gordon writer, said “Capt’n Eli is what comics can and should be: fun. It’s a perfect mix of old-fashioned adventure and modern storytelling, and it would make a killer TV show.”

Richard Vasseur wrote on Jazma that “Gorgeous illustrations of sea vessels and one huge robot make this a visual delight to behold….This is a fast paced adventure that goes from sea bottom to the planet surface to outer space.”

Brian Augustyn, writer / editor at DC Comics, noted “Jay Piscopo is single handedly keeping comics safe for kids — and for those of us who love our comics to be fantastic and fun.”

A special release event will be held Saturday, March 7 at Casablanca Comics in Portland, Maine.

All of the “Capt’n Eli” graphic novels can be purchased online at http://www.captneli.com.

“The Undersea Adventures of Capt’n Eli – Volume 3: The Mystery of the Devil’s Sea”
Published by Nemo Publishing
Written and illustrated by Jay Piscopo
108 Pages | Full Color | $9.99
Diamond Code: OCT141559
ISBN 978-0-9817132-2-9

Other books in the series:
“The Undersea Adventures of Capt'n Eli – Volume 2” -- ISBN 978-0-9817132-1-2
“The Undersea Adventures of Capt'n Eli – Volume 1” -- ISBN 978-0-9817132-0-5

About the Creator: Jay Piscopo is the author and illustrator of “The Undersea Adventures of Capt’n Eli” graphic novel series and has created numerous titles featuring spin off characters from this series including “The Sea Ghost #1: The Sea Ghost in the Machine” and the “Commander X All-Star Special.” He is known for his signature pulp style and is a frequent contributing artist for Moonstone Books. He co-created the internationally distributed comic book series “The Scrap City Pack Rats,” featuring the world's first disabled superheroes. This six-issue series received national attention for its groundbreaking approach and subject matter.

Jay has conducted hundreds of comics workshops and classroom events teaching drawing and storytelling techniques across the country. He is an engaging presenter with extensive teaching experience.

On the web: http://www.captneli.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheSeaGhost

Twitter: @CaptnEli

Secret Identity Podcast Issue #654--She-Hulk and Howard the Duck

3/30/2015

Happy Monday Everyone! In our never-ending quest to make Monday everyone's favorite day of the week, we've got another episode of Secrret Identity for you. Here's the rundown:

Download Location of the Week: Fitchburg, MA

Feedback

Reviews:
Howard the Duck #1
She-Hulk #12
The Black Hood #1
Swamp Thing #40
The Phantom #1

Out of the Longbox:
iZombie #1

You can listen to the episode right here in the player above, or grab us on iTunes, Stitcher or your favorite podcast app. Thanks for listening!

P.S. Don't forget to weigh in on our Summer Reading and Watching Projects!

Brian's New Book LOVECRAFT'S PUPIL Arrives Tuesday 3/31--Check Out the Trailer!

3/29/2015

by Brian LeTendre

This Tuesday, my new book comes out!

Lovecraft's Pupil is the third book in the Parted Veil series, and a direct sequel to 2013's Lovecraft's Curse. I put together a little trailer for the book:

If you're completely new to the series, I also have trailers for the first two books:

Lovecraft's Pupil will be available on Amazon Kindle, Drive Thru Fiction and the Kobo book store. I'll have links here when everything goes live. You can find out more about the series and links to get all of the books at my website, www.seebrianwrite.com. Thanks for your support!

Archie Introduces Horror Line

3/28/2015

Press Release

Archie Comics is proud to announce that the acclaimed AFTERLIFE WITH ARCHIE and CHILLING ADVENTURES OF SABRINA series will be returning -- under the new ARCHIE HORROR imprint -- to comic store shelves this Spring.

The much-anticipated second issue of THE CHILLING ADVENTURES OF SABRINA by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa and artist Robert Hack will be hitting store shelves on April 15th, followed by AFTERLIFE WITH ARCHIE #8 -- an issue inspired by "The Shining" -- by Aguirre-Sacasa and artist Francesco Francavilla on May 6th.

In speaking on the return of the series, Aguirre-Sacasa teased the debut of a third series in the Archie Horror line and spoke of the fan response to the titles: “[The Archie Horror books] have prompted the best work of our careers,” says Aguirre-Sacasa. “To take these iconic characters and re-imagine them and place them in situations they’ve never been in before—it’s a blast, and I’m glad people are responding to it.”

Follow @ArchieHorror, @SabrinaHorror and @AfterlifeArchie on Twitter for up-to-the-minute news and updates.

To find AFTERLIFE WITH ARCHIE and SABRINA at a comic book store near you, use the Comic Shop Locator Service.

Secret Identity Issue #653--Chew and Spider-Man 2099

3/27/2015

Here at Secret Identity, we like to think we're the reason that Fridays are everyone's favorite day of the week. And as is our custom, we have prepared the finest ear candy for you to consume as you go about preparing for the weekend. Here is your rundown:

News:
Charlie Chu promoted to Senior Editor at Oni Press
Dominic Purcell (Heat Wave) joins Arrow/Flash spinoff cast
Summer Reading and Watching Projects (Convergence/Secret Wars)
Marvel ends 33 books as Secret Wars begins

Reviews:
Chew #46
Spider-Man 2099 #10

Boob Tube:
The Flash
iZombie
Walking Dead
Divergent
Arrow

Creator Spotlight: Amanda Dufresne
Matt sat down with the amazing talented artist at North East Comic Con 2014. You can follow Amanda on Facebook at www.facebook.com/pages/Amanda-Dufresne-Artist/471441909581025 and on Instagram at instagram.com/amandadufresne_art.

You can listen to the episode right here in the player above, or grab us on iTunes, Stitcher or your favorite podcast app. Thanks for listening!

P.S. Don't forget to weigh in on our Summer Reading and Watching Projects!

The Wrath of 'Con'!

3/26/2015

by Matman

If you are a comic book fan and love to go to comic conventions, chances are you have noticed how many shows have been popping up lately. In the past, Brian and I could plan on a show every two or three months with a bit of travel involved to get our fix. Now… there are two to three shows a month appearing all within driving distance; all different styles, sizes and flavors. Is this a good thing? Yes, if all the shows can sustain themselves and give the fans a lot of bang for their buck. No, if they can’t deliver and try to attack shows in their area with negative talk or scheduling too close to an established one to hurt their attendance.

I love comic book shows! I have always loved attending and meeting creators and getting books signed. When SECRET IDENTITY happened both Brian and I loved to go and get interviews for the show and push our endeavor. Now when we do these shows we still do all those things BUT now we are also creators; trying to sell our books and draw folks into what we do.

This past weekend I was contacted by someone (hi Tori) about what I love about comic conventions and it got me thinking to why I love them and it is simple… it is a celebration of everything I love. I love to see the creators who create, fellow fans who feel the same as me and the vendors to sell me more of the candy that daddy needs!

And that is why it is so sad to see the negativity or quick ‘money grab’ shows that do so much to harm a community that can’t agree on anything anyway. Putting together a con is like putting together a band; everyone has their roll and responsibilities but the bigger it gets… money and ego seems to take over. And the fans that liked it one way don’t like to see it grow too big or move into other directions. Today’s cons MUST be a one stop shop and offer so much to make everyone happy and also alienates fans.

I don’t have all the answers on this subject but I know what I see going on and like what many shows are doing. We have seen shows like Boston Comic Con, Connecticut’s ComicConn and ConnectiCon grow at a steady pace and adapt to the ever changing climate of the industry with subtle nuances that make their show unique. Recently I have seen smaller shows like Camden Comic Con (New Jersey), Bing Con (Springfield, MA) and Vermont Comic Con starting out small, offering great guests and amazing values and have built a foundation to grow on. On the other side of the coin I have been to shows that really didn’t offer anyone anything; leaving vendors, guests and attendees upset with no plan for a return next year.

So what do you do? You support the shows and promoters that give you an incredible show, value and amazing creators. The creators and the vendors are the true stars of a show and without them you can’t build anything.

How do you pick a show? That can be tough as well. This year I had three shows to choose from on the same weekend; Nostalgia Con in Maryland, Hartford Comic Con and Vermont Comic Con. My first choice was to go to Maryland and introduce myself to a new audience. Sure Hartford is closer (and Brian told me a great show last year) but I chose to make a return trip to Vermont. Why? I had a great time last year, the area is so starved for anything geek and the promoter (yo J!) is a standup guy who I enjoy working with and had a ton of fun last year and that trumps all. Relationships and fun!

Coincidentally my second book COMICOPOLYPSE – HOW TO SURVIVE THE COMIC CON EXPERIENCE IS NOW BACK IN PRINT!

This Sunday Meet Matman Halfway to Granite State Comicon!

3/25/2015

Get ready for an old school toy and comic show this Sunday, as the folks behind Granite State Comicon are putting on a one day event. 'Half Way to Granite State Comic Con' will be held this Sunday March 29th from 10am to 3pm at the Holiday Inn Concord in Concord, NH. Tons of comics and toy dealers, local artists, and a few rabblerousers like our own Matthew Herring will be there, handing out and selling their wares.

You can find out more event on the event's Facebook page, and if you do head out to the show this Sunday, stop by and say hi!

Remembering A.J. Pero

3/24/2015

by Matman

Heavy metal lost one of its best drummers last week when A.J. Pero, drummer for Twisted Sister was found dead of an apparent heart attack last week. A.J. was only 55 years old. At the time of his death he was on tour with the metal super group Adrenalin Mob and couldn’t be woken up on the tour bus by band members.

A.J. joined Twisted Sister in 1982 prior to the release of their EP ‘Ruff Cuts’ and their first full length album, the classic ‘Under The Blade’. In 1983 the band released their best album ‘You Can’t Stop Rock and Roll’ but it was in 1984 that the band catapulted to super stardom with ‘Stay Hungry.’ A.J.’s rhythmic and heavy drumming became one of the trademarks of the band’s sound (think of how catchy the drum into to 'We're Not Gonna Take It' is). Following the ‘Come Out And Play’ album and tour, A.J. quit the band and returned to Staten Island, New York. The band would record one more album, the underacted 'Love Is For Suckers' before imploding.

Pero would team up with T.S. vocalist Dee Snyder’s Widowmaker and in 2001, the classic lineup of Twisted Sister would reunite and since then continue to tour and record somewhat regularly.

Pero was among the top metal drummers of the 1980’s along with Quiet Riot’s Frankie Banalli, KISS Eric Carr and Dokken’s ‘Wild’ Mick Brown. Because of their cross dressing and cartoonish image, many don’t consider Twisted Sister anything more than a novelty, but their first three albums in my opinion rank among metal’s best.

"The members of Twisted Sister are profoundly saddened to announce the untimely passing of our brother, A.J. Pero The band, crew and most importantly the family of A.J. Pero thank you for your thoughts and prayers at this time."

Secret Identity Podcast Issue #652--Spider-Gwen and Superman

3/23/2015

It's Monday, but don't let that stop you from having a fantastic day. We're here to help you get the week started right with some solid gold ear candy. Here's the rundown:

Download Location of the Week: Mesa, AZ

Feedback

Reviews:
Spider-Gwen #2
Star Trek/Planet of the Apes #4
Fantastic Four #644
Superman #39
Curb Stomp #1

Out of the Longbox:
Catwoman #54

You can listen to the episode right here in the player above, or grab us on iTunes, Stitcher or your favorite podcast app. Thanks for listening!

P.S. Don't forget to weigh in on our Summer Reading and Watching Projects!

Check Out a Trailer and Preview of Wood and Mutti's REBELS #1

3/22/2015

In a rush of great public resistance to an oppressive and excessive government, a homegrown militia movement is formed in rural America. This is not 2015, but 1775. With the war for independence playing out across the colonies, young Seth and Mercy Abbott find their new marriage tested at every turn, as the demands of the frontlines and the home front collide.

Rebels #1 arrives on April 8th.